Geeks and chics—this is Miuccia Prada‘s special talent. She is the queen of ugly fashion, where “ugly” is the highest kind of compliment because it’s unexpected, challenging and at its very root, something a lot of women want, whether they are minimal or maximal, high-loving or low-, esoteric or just in it because it’s delightful fun to look at. Spring brought all these contrasts together in a wonderful, weird, exciting collection that was backed by a trippy original film by American Hustle and Joy director David O. Russell, starring Freida Pinto.
Prada celebrated femininity while at the same time mocking female ideals which are, basically, cliches. Silk blouses in vibrant geometric prints were tucked into wrap skirts trimmed in marabou—the stuff you normally get on Fifties-style boudoir slippers and negligees. Even the way the models clutched bags to their chest felt like a high school girl circa 1957 holding her books.
The main silhouette was cinched waist and slim skirt, a theme that Prada worked through gingham jackets, sporty ski vests and sweaters, itty-bitty skorts (like old time swim suit bottoms). Every kind of color was represented—pastel, primary, metallic, muted—and were all mixed in together, rewriting the rules on what colors and prints are complimentary. These unexpected motifs carried over to the sporty slides that showed up in plaid, feathers, embellishments, kiddy toy pink, etc.
There were tons of pleated dresses in striking oddball, Seventies wallpaper prints that will make getting ready a snap. While all those printed short-shorts, paired with blazers, car coats or turtlenecks will establish a new vacation packing list, and the printed Chinese jackets and pants, both trimmed with marabou, will speak to the eccentrics.
The only thing that you can bet on with Miuccia Prada is the use of sparkles and fluffy bits. The girl likes a bit of glitter, no matter how unusually it is presented. Here, crystals dotted nude dresses and pointy t-straps. And with all that marabou, fawn and fur that accented shoes and mules, these models were literally walking on hair.
From: Harper’s BAZAAR US